Bulldogs rout toothless Sharks

Canterbury have got their first win of 2014 in a Monday night rout over the hapless Cronulla Sharks who succumbed 42 points 4 to the home side in front of 12,057 fans at ANZ Stadium.

It was the battle of the first up losers once again on a calm Autumn night at ANZ Stadium. Canterbury looking to heap more misery on the injury ravaged Sharks who had three players (Fifita, Lichaa and Manumalealii) debuting tonight. They earnt three early penalties allowing them to get in position and a cross-field bomb found Frank Pritchard who opened the scoring.

The opening try opened the floodgates for the home side who sensed blood in the water. Michael Ennis produced a solo effort with a grubber that bounced over Michael Gordon for the hooker to collect. Chase Stanley scored his first two tries for his new side before the whistle for half-time, both constructed by Josh Reynolds who opened up Sydney Heads for the centre to run through.

Once they were in the ascendancy Canterbury didn't let up on the Sharks who were ill-disciplined in conceding penalties and errors galore. It allowed Trent Hodkinson to drag himself over the try-line. The Sharks defense resembling more a flimsy rubber band that had been snapped one too many times.

The attack wasn't offering much more hope with the Sharks camped on the Bulldogs line for ten minutes straight being repelled each time and after five repeat sets, the final play was a grubber that ended limply in the hands of a Bulldog.

When the Bulldogs quelled the faint Sharks resistance - they continued to pile on the misery with Corey Thompson and Josh Morris claiming the last two tries for the blue and white side to rack up 42 points certainly a relief after going down to the Broncos in the first round.

Cronulla finally got on the board though in the final minute when a set play worked out for Jonathan Wright to cross in the corner to finish the game off with a scoreline of 42 points to 4. For Canterbury - next up is a trip to Penrith to face the 1-1 Panthers while Cronulla head home for the local derby against neighbours St George Illawarra.

Welcome to ANZ Stadium for tonight's contest of two first up losers. Will the huge Canterbury pack run rampant or will the youthful Sharks bring the much needed spring to their attack.

Here come the Sharks with a stroll onto the field here at ANZ Stadium. They take residency in the southern end of ANZ Stadium awaiting kick-off and the home side. Speaking of here they come! Canterbury to a dull roar from the small but passionate crowd here at the ground.

1: KICK-OFF! Cronulla will have first use of the ball.

2: Corey Thompson might be off to Bangladesh with a classic catch like that. He earns the Bulldogs the first PENALTY for chasers being offside.

7: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS Conversion attempt by Trent Hodkinson successful.Hodkinson puts his first attempt right down the middle.

19: NO TRY.. Bulldogs ball here.

20: That was more the Bulldogs of 203 with the forwards linking to send O'Hanlon through before he gave it Reynolds who trapped Sharks in-goal.

22: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS Scored by Michael Ennis. Kick to come.That was some good spur of the moment thinking by Michael Ennis. Somehow Sam Perrett ended ip with it on last, gave it to Ennis who grubbered for himself, watched it bounce over Michael Gordon allowing the hooker to dive over.

60: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS Scored by Corey Thompson. Kick to come.GREEN LIGHTS..TRY! Corey Thompson using the go-go Gadget arm to get the ball down! The misery continues for Cronulla.

62: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS Conversion attempt by Trent Hodkinson successful.This will be Hodkinson's toughest assignment tonight.. from the sideline after the Thompson try. He starts it right down the middle and it stays there.